Learn Nihon : Vocabulary (2/2)

~ wa doko desuka. ～はどこですか。	Where is ~?
Koko kara tooi desu ka. ここから遠いですか。	Is it far from here?
Massugu itte kudasai. まっすぐ行ってください。	Please go straight.
Migi ni magatte kudasai. 右に曲がってください。	Please turn right.

 ....

koko ここ	here
soko そこ	there
asoko あそこ	that over there
migi 右	right
hidari 左	left
massugu まっすぐ	straight
mae 前	front
ushiro 後ろ	behind
yoko 横	side
tonari 隣	next to
mukai 向かい	cross
tooi 遠い	far
chikai 近い	near

 

higashi 東	east
nishi 西	west
minami 南	south
kita 北	north

iro 色	colors
ao 青	blue
aka 赤	red
chairo 茶色	brown
daidaiiro 橙色	orange
haiiro 灰色	gray
kiiro 黄色	yellow
kimidori 黄緑	light green
kuro 黒	black
midori 緑	green
mizuiro 水色	light blue
momoiro 桃色	pink
murasaki 紫	purple
shiro 白	white
Sukina iro wa nan desu ka. 好きな色は何ですか。	What is your favorite color?

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aka	red
daidai	orange
ki	yellow
midori	green
ao	blue
ai	indigo
murasaki	violet

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apaato アパート	apartment
biiru ビール	beer
puuru プール	pool
keeki ケーキ	cake
koohii コーヒー	coffee

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Ashita yuki ga furu kana. 明日雪が降るかな。	I wonder if it will snow tomorrow.
Ano hito wa supein-jin kana. あの人はスペイン人かな。	I wonder if he/she is Spanish.

"~ kashira （～かしら）" can be replaced with "~ kana", though it is used only by females.

Kore ikura kashira. これいくらかな。	I wonder how much it is.
Dou shita no kashira. どうしたのかしら。	I wonder what happened.

Here are some more phrases with "~ kana" from my "Phrase of the Day" lessons.

Nani o kite ikou kana. 何を着ていこうかな。	What shall I wear?
Mattete kureru kana. 待っててくれるかな。	I wonder if he/she will wait for me.
Machiawase-basho machigaeta kana. 待ち合わせ場所間違えたかな。	I wonder if I am waiting in the wrong place.
Okane, ato ikura nokotteru kana. お金、後いくら残ってるかな。	I wonder how much money I have left.
Rainen wa ii koto aru kana. 来年はいいことあるかな。	I wonder if next year will bring something good.

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nani 何	what
kite 着て	the te-form of the verb "kiru (to wear)"
ikou 行こう	volitional form of the verb "iku (to go)"

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osokunaru 遅くなる

to be late for

Notes

"~ sou (da)" expresses the speaker's speculation. It translates into "look," "seem," "feel like" etc.

machiawase-basho 待ち合わせ場所	the place for waiting
machigaeru 間違える	to be wrong

 

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mou もう	soon
kuru 来る	to come
hazu はず	be expected to

 dsds

ato あと	later
go-fun 五分	five minutes
matou 待とう	volitional form of the verb "matsu (to wait)"

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okureru 遅れる	to be late
gomen ごめん	I am sorry.

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matteite 待っていて	the te-form of  "matteiru (to be waiting)"
arigatou ありがとう	Thank you.

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shinpai suru 心配する

to be anxious

Notes

"Yo （よ）" is a sentence ending particle which indicates moderate emphasis. "~ shichatta （～しちゃった）" is a colloquial way of saying "~ shite shimatta （～してしまった）." Click here for the usage of "~ chau (~ chatta)." "Shinpai shichatta yo （心配しちゃったよ ）" sounds feminine, therefore a male speaker would likely say "Shinpai shita zo （心配したぞ）" instead. 

sonnani そんなに	so much, like that
okoru 怒る	to get angry

"Okoranaide （怒らないで）" is the negative te-form of the verb "okoru （怒る）." "Yo （よ）" is a sentence ending particle which indicates moderate emphasis. "Okoranaide yo （怒らないでよ）" sounds feminine, therefore a male speaker would likely say "Okoruna yo （怒るなよ）" instead. 

 

Koko chotto mite ittemo ii?

Do you mind if I look in this store
for a minute?

koko ここ	here
chotto ちょっと	for a moment
miru 見る	to look

Notes

"Mite （見て）" is the te-form of the verb "miru （見る）." "~ te mo ii （～てもいい）" is a phrase which expresses permission. Click here to learn other usages of "chotto （ちょっと）."

Tsukarechatta.

I am tired.

tsukareru 疲れる

to get tired

Notes

"~ chatta （～ちゃった）" is a colloquial way of saying "~ te shimatta （～てしまった）." Click here to learn the usage of "~ chau (~ chatta)." "Tsukarechatta （疲れちゃった）" sounds feminine or childish, therefore a male speaker would likely say "tsukareta （疲れた）" or "tsukareta na （疲れたな）" instead. 

Ocha shinai?

Shall we stop for tea?

o-cha お茶

tea

Notes

"O （お）" is the prefix used to express politeness. Click here to learn more about the prefix "o （お）" "Shinai （しない）" is the informal negative form of the verb "suru (to do)." With rising intonation, it expresses an invitation. In formal situations, "shimasen ka （しませんか）" is used. 

In English, "go for coffee" is a commonly used phrase, but the word "o-cha (tea)" is normally used in Japanese whether you are having tea or coffee.

Tsugi wa doko e ikou ka.

Where should we go next?

tsugi 次	next
doko どこ	where
iku 行く	to go

Notes

"Ikou （行こう）" is the volitional form of the verb "iku （行く）."

Eiga demo miru?

How about a movie?

eiga 映画	movie
miru 見る	to watch

Notes

"Demo （でも）" is used in casually mentioning something as a suggestion. It translates into "~ or something." In informal situations, a plain form of the verb can be used as a question with a rising intonation.  

Shokuji shiyou.

Let's go eat.

shokuji 食事	meal
suru する	to do

Notes

"Shiyou （しよう）" is the volitional form of the verb "suru （する）."

Sushi nanka dou?

Do you feel like sushi?

dou どう

how

Notes

"Nanka （なんか）" is a colloquial way of saying "nado （など）." It indicates a tentative suggestion and translates into "or something." Click here to learn expressions including fish.

Chuuka ryouri no hou ga ii.

I'd rather have Chinese food.

chuuka ryouri 中華料理	Chinese food
ii いい	good

Notes

There are no comparative forms of adjectives and adverbs in Japanese. When comparing two items, the expression "[A] no hou ga [B] yori ~" is used. "[B] yori ~" may be omitted if it is clear from the context. 

Okane, ato ikura
nokotteru kana.

I wonder how much money I have left.

okane お金	money
ato 後	the rest
ikura いくら	how much
nokoru 残る	to be left

Notes

"~ kana （～かな）" can be translated as "I wonder ~" in English. Click here to learn more about the expression "~ kana （～かな）."

Yokatta, juubun aru.

Good, I have plenty.

yoi 良い	good
juubun 充分	enough
aru ある	to have

Notes

"Yokatta （よかった）" is the past tense of the adjective "ii （いい）." Click here to learn about adjectives. 

Shimatta, tarinai kamo.

Shoot, I might need more than this.

Shimatta, tarinai kamo.

Shoot, I might need more than this.

Warikan ni shinai?

Why don't I pay half?

warikan ni suru 割り勘にする

split the account

Notes

"Shinai （しない）" is the informal negative form of the verb "suru (to do)." With rising intonation, it expresses an invitation. In formal situations, "shimasen ka （しませんか）" is used. 

Mou juuichi-ji sugi da.

It's 11 o'clock already!

mou もう	already
juuichi-ji 十一時	eleven o'clock
~ sugi ～過ぎ	past, after

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Kaeranakucha.

I have to go home.

kaeru 帰る

to return

Notes

"~ nakucha （～なくちゃ）" is a colloquial way of saying "~ nakereba naranai （～なければならない）" or "~ nai to ikenai （～ないといけない）." It translates into "must." It sounds feminine and childish.  

Okutte ikou ka.

Shall I walk you home?

okuru 送る

to escort home

Notes

"Ikou （いこう）" is the volitional form of the verb "iku (to go)." "Ka （か）" is a sentence ending particle which makes a sentence into a question.

Nande konnani
doki doki shichau n darou.

Why am I so nervous?

nande なんで	why
konnani こんなに	like this, in this way
doki doki ドキドキ	pit-a-pat

Notes

"Doki doki （ドキドキ）" is one of the onomatopoeic expressions. It describes increase heart beat caused by exercise or nervousness. Onomatopoeic expressions are often written in katakana, though they are not foreign words. Click here to learn more about them. 

"~ shichau （～しちゃう）" is a colloquial way of saying "~ shite shimau （～してしまう）." Click here for the usage of "~ chau （～ちゃう）." 

"~ darou （～だろう）" is used when guessing with doubt. These expressions are close to "I wonder ~" in English. Click here to learn about expressions of uncertainty.

Kaeritakunai na.

I don't want to go home.

kaeru 帰る

to return

Notes

"~ takunai （～たくない）" is the negative form of  "~ tai （～たい）." It expresses a desire to do something. Click here to learn about expressions of desire. "Na （な）" is a sentence ending particle which indicates casual emphasis.

Zutto isshoni itai.

I wish we could be together forever.

zutto ずっと	all the time
isshoni 一緒に	together
iru いる	to stay

Notes

"~ tai （～たい）" expresses desire to do something.

Chotto yotte ikanai?

Would you like to come over to
my place for a while?

chotto ちょっと	for a while
yotte 寄って	the te-form of the verb "yoru (to drop in)"
iku 行く	to go

Notes

"Ikanai （いかない）" is the informal negative form of the verb "iku (to go)." With rising intonation, it expresses an invitation. In formal situations, "ikimasen ka （いきませんか）" is used. 

Doushiyou?

What should I do?

dou どう	what, how
shiyou しよう	the volitional form of the verb "suru (to do)"

Notes

"Dousuru （どうする）" is "What are you going to do?" 

Kyou wa tanoshikatta.

I had a good time today.

kyou 今日	today
tanoshii 楽しい	enjoyable

Notes

"Tanoshikatta （楽しかった）" is the past tense of the adjective "tanoshii （楽しい）."

Kondo, itsu aeru?

When can I see you again?

kondo 今度	next time
itsu いつ	when
aeru 会える	the potential form of the verb "au (to meet)"

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Kinyoubi ni
konsaato ni ikanai?

Would you like to go to a concert on Friday?

kinyoubi 金曜日	Friday
konsaato コンサート	concert
iku 行く	to go

Notes

Click here to learn vocabulary for the days of the week.

Since "konsaato （コンサート）" is from the English word "concert," it is written in katakana.

"Ikanai （行かない）" is the informal negative form of the verb "iku (to go)." With rising intonation, it expresses an invitation. In formal situations, "ikimasen ka （行きませんか）" is used. 

Kanojo shika inai!

I think she is the one for me!

kanojo 彼女	she
shika しか	only
inai いない	the negative form of the verb "iru (to exist)"

Notes

"He is the one" is "Kare shika inai （彼しかいない）." 

Kaimono ni ikou.

Let's go shopping.

kaimono 買い物	shopping
ikou 行こう	the volitional form of the verb "iku (to go)"

Notes

"Ni （に）" is a particle which indicates the direction. It translates into "to".

Ano mise de
baagen yatteru yo.

That shop is having a sale.

ano あの	that
mise 店	store, shop
baagen バーゲン	bargain
yaru やる	to hold

Since "baagen （バーゲン）" is from the English word "bargain," it is written in katakana. 

"~ yatteru （～やってる）" is a colloquial way of saying "~ yatteiru （～やっている）." "~ iru （～いる）" is combined with the te-form of a verb and expresses an action in progress or state of completion of an action. 

"Yo （よ）" is a sentence ending particle which emphasizes a statement.

Seetaa ga hoshii na.

I want to get a sweater.

seetaa セーター	sweater
hoshii 欲しい	to want

Notes

Since "seetaa （セーター）" is from the English word "sweater," it is written in katakana. 

"Na （な）" is a sentence ending particle which places a casual emphasis on a opinion.

Click here to learn about expressions of desire.

Sore yoku niau yo.

That looks nice on you. 

sore それ	that
yoku よく	well, nicely
niau 似合う	to suit

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Kawanai to koukaisuru
kamo shirenai.

If I don't get it, I might regret it. 

kawanai 買わない	the negative form of the verb "kau (to buy)"
koukaisuru 後悔する	to regert

Notes

"To （と）" is placed after an adjective or a verb to create a conditional. 

"~ kamoshirenai （～かもしれない）" indicates the speaker's guess and translates into "might." 

Kore kite mite mo ii?

Can I try this on?

kore これ	this
kitemiru 着てみる	to try on

Notes

"Mite （みて）　" is the te-form of the verb "miru （みる）." "~ te mo ii （～てもいい）" is a phrase which expresses permission.

Kore kiru nara
daietto shinakucha.

I'll have to go on a diet if I want to wear this.

kore これ	this
kiru 着る	to wear
daietto suru ダイエットする	to go on a diet

Notes

"~ nara （～なら）" indicates a supposition and result. It translates into "if ~ then."

"~ nakucha （～なくちゃ）" is a colloquial way of saying "~ nakereba naranai （～なければならない）" or "~ nai to ikenai （～ないといけない）." It translates into "must." It sounds feminine and childish.  

Yappari yametokou.

I don't think I will get it.

yappari やっぱり	after all
yameru やめる	to give up

Notes

"yametokou （やめとこう）" is a colloquial way of saying "yameteoku （やめておく）." "~ oku （～おく）" is combined with the te-form of the verb and means "do something in advance for future convenience."

Docchi no iro ga
niau to omou?

Which color do you think looks better on me?

docchi どっち	which
iro 色	color
niau 似合う	to suit
omou 思う	to think

Notes

"Docchi （どっち）" is a colloquial way of saying "dochira （どちら）." 

Mou ikken dake mite miyou. 

I am going to try one more store. 

mou もう	more
dake だけ	only
mitemiru 見てみる	to try to look

Notes

"Ken （軒）" is a counter for houses or stores. "Mitemiyou （見てみよう）" is the volitional form of "mitemiru （見てみる）."

Iikagen ni shite yo. 

Oh, come on! 

"Iikagen ni shinasai （いい加減にしなさい）" or "Iikagen ni shite （いい加減にして）" can be translated as "That's enough" or "No more ~." Male speakers would say "Iikagen ni shiro yo （いい加減にしろよ）" or "Iikagen ni shiro （いい加減にし

Dore ni shitara iika wakaranai. 

I can't make a decision. 

dore どれ	which
wakaranai 分からない	I don't know

Notes

"Wakaranai （分からない）" is the negative form of the verb "wakaru (to know)."

ろ）". 

Fuku nante kirereba ii noni. 

Clothes are just something to put on.  

fuku 服	clothes
nante なんて	such as
kireru 着れる	the potential form of the verb "kiru (to wear)'
ii いい	fine

Notes

"~ ba （～ば）" presents a condition that would result in the clause that follows. "~ noni （～のに）" is used at the end of a sentence, and indicates a feeling of dissatisfaction. 

Takaku temo ii n da. 

I don't care about price. 

takai 高い	expensive
ii いい	fine

Notes

"~ temo （～ても）" translates into "even if." "~ n da （～んだ）" is an informal form of "~ no da （～のだ）." It is used when the speaker is explaining or asking for an explanation about information shared with the listener. Click here to learn more about "~ n da (n desu)."

Omoikitte kore kaou kana. 

I think I'll take the plunge and get this. 

omoikitte 思い切って	in a decisive manner
kore これ	this
kaou 買おう	the volitional form of the verb "kau (to buy)"

Kore katte kureru? 

Would you buy this for me? 

kore これ	expensive
katte 買って	the te-form of the verb "kau (to buy)"

Notes

When "~ kureru （～くれる）" is combined with the verb "te-form," it means "do something for me (or someone)."

Arigatou.
Kore hoshikatta n da. 

Thank you. I wanted to get this.  

arigatou ありがとう	Thank you
kore これ	this
hoshikatta 欲しかった	the past tense of "hoshii (to want)"

Notes

"~ n da （～んだ）" is an informal form of "~ no da （のだ）." It is used when the speaker is explaining or asking for an explanation about inform

Kyuuka zutto tanoshimi ni
shiteta n da. 

I've been looking forward to the vacation. 

kyyuka 休暇	holidays
zutto ずっと	all the time
tanoshimi ni suru 楽しみにする	to hope for

Notes

"~ n da（～んだ）" is an informal form of "~ no da（～のだ）." It is used when the speaker is explaining or asking for an explanation about information shared with the listener.

Mou kyuuka kibun. 

I feel like I'm on vacation already. 

mou もう	already
kyuuka 休暇	holidays
kibun 気分	feeling, mood

Ichinen nante
atto iu ma da ne.  

It seems like the year flew by. 

ichinen 一年	a year
nante なんて	such as
atto iu ma あっという間	in no time

Notes

"Ne （ね）" is a sentence ending particle. It indicates that the speaker wants the listener to agree or confirm.

Rainen wa ii koto aru kana. 

I wonder if next year will bring
something good. 

rainen 来年	next year
ii いい	good
koto こと	thing
aru ある	to happen

Ii toshi datta na.  

It's been a good year.

ii いい	good
toshi 年	year

Notes

"Na （な）" is a sentence ending particle which expresses emotion.

Oomisoka wa dokutoku no
fun'iki ga aru ne.  

New Year's Eve puts people
in a special mood. 

oomisoka 大晦日	New Year's Eve
dokutokuno 独特の	peculiar, special
fun'iki 雰囲気	atmosphere
aru ある	to have

Akemashite omedetou. 

Happy New Year!

Shinnen no chikai tateta? 

Did you make a New Year's resolution?  

shinnen 新年	New Year
chikai o tateru 誓いをたてる	make an oath

Notes

"tateta （たてた）" is the past tense of the verb "tateru （たてる）."

Kotoshi koso wa
kin'en suru zo! 

I am going to stop smoking this year!

kotoshi 今年	this year
kin'en suru 禁煙する	quit smoking

Notes

"~ koso （～こそ）" is a particle which adds emphasis to the word preceding it. "Zo （ぞ）" is a sentence ending particle mostly used by men. It adds force to words of self-encouragement or self-urging. 

Maitoshi onaji koto itteru
youna ki ga suru na. 

It seems like I have same resolutions
every year.

maitoshi 毎年	every year
onaji 同じ	same
koto こと	thing
~ youna ki ga suru ～ような気がする	feel that ~, seem to ~

Notes

"itteru （言ってる）" is a colloquial way of saying "itteiru （言っている)." When the te-form of the verb and "~ iru （～いる）" are combined, it expresses the present progressive.

Iu wa yasuku
okonau wa katashi. 

Easier said than done.

iu 言う	to say
yasui 易い	easy
okonau 行う	to do, to act
katai 難い	hard

Notes

This is one of the Japanese proverbs.

Donna hatsuyume o mita? 

What was your first dream
of the new year?

donna どんな	what, what kind of
hatsuyume 初夢	the first dream of the New Year
mita 見た	the past tense of the verb "miru (to see)"

Ii toshi ni narimasu youni. 

Here's to happiness during the New Year.

ii いい	good
toshi 年	year
narimasu なります	to turn out

Notes

"~ youni （～ように）" is combined with the formal form (the ~masu form) of the verb and expresses a wish.